Chapter 50 Assessment of Immune Function

1. Chapter 50Assessment of Immune Function

2. Learning Objectives • Describe the body’s general immune responses. • Discuss the stages of the immune response. • Differentiate between cellular and humoral immune responses. • Describe the effects of selected variables on function of the immune system. • Use assessment parameters for determining the status of patients’ immune function.

3. Question Is the following statement True or False? Immunity refers to the body’s nonspecific protective response to an invading foreign agent or organism.

4. Answer False Immunity refers to the body’s specific, not nonspecific, protective response to an invading foreign agent or organism.

5. The Immune System • Immunity: the body’s specific protective response to invading foreign agent or organism • Immunopathology: the study of diseases that result from dysfunction the immune system • Immune disorders • Autoimmunity • Hypersensitivity • Gammopathies • Immune deficiencies: primary and secondary

6. Central and Peripheral Lymphoid Organs

7. Development of Cells of the Immune System

8. Lymphocytes: B lymphocytes mature in the bone marrow; T lymphocytes mature in the thymus, where they also differentiate into cells with various functions

9. Immune Function • Natural immunity: nonspecific response to any foreign invader • White blood cell action: release cell mediators such as histamine, bradykinin, and prostaglandins, and engulf (phagocytize) foreign substances • Inflammatory response • Physical barriers, such as intact skin, chemical barriers, and acidic gastric secretions or enzymes in tars and saliva • Acquired immunity: specific against a foreign antigen • Result of prior exposure to an antigen • Active or passive

10. Stages of Immune Response

11. Defenses • Phagocytic immune response • Humoral or antibody response • Cellular immune response

12. Question Which leukocytes arrive at the inflammation site? • Basophils • Eosinophils • Monocytes • Neutrophils

13. Answer D Neutrophils arrive first at a site where inflammation occurs.

14. Role of Antibodies • Agglutination of antigens • Opsonization • Promote release of vasoactive substances; activation of complement system and phagocytosis • Act in concert with other components of the immune system • Types of immunoglobulins: IgA, IgD, IgE,IgG, and IgM

15. Antigen-Antibody Binding

16. Cellular Immune Response • B lymphocytes: humoral immunity • Produce antibodies or immunoglobulins • T lymphocytes: cellar immunity • Attack invaders directly, secrete cytokines, and stimulate immune system responses • Helper T cells • Cytotoxic T cells • Memory cells • Suppressor T cells (suppress immune response)

17. Non-T and Non-B Lymphocytes Involved in Immune Response • Null cells • Destroy antigen coated with antibody • Natural killer cells • Defend against microorganisms and some malignant cells

18. Complement Mediated Immune Responses

19. Variables That Effect Immune System Function • Age and gender • Nutrition • Presence of conditions or disorders: cancer/neoplasm, chronic illness, autoimmune disorders, surgery/trauma • Allergies • History of infection or immunization • Genetic factors • Lifestyle • Medications and transfusions • Pyschoneuroimmunologic factors

20. Tests to Evaluate Immune Function • WBC count and differential • Bone marrow biopsy • Humoral and cellular immunity tests • Phagocytic cell function test • Complement component tests • Hypersensitivity tests • Specific antigen-antibody tests • HIV infection tests

21. Question Is the following statement True or False? Autoimmune disorders are more common in females than males.

22. Answer True Autoimmune disorders are more common in females than males.